this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2024
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Geophysics

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I just kind of like it. Connector inspections -- something every geophysicist learns to be anal retentive about if they last long enough.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago (3 children)

Oooh, electronics engineer chiming in here, those connectors are pretty cool and expensive. I've worked with them at a previous aerospace company. They're great for wiring up because they're keyed for only one way and the key is off-centre so you'd have to be an idiot to fuck up when following the wiring diagram. The trick is to not let an idiot draw the wiring diagram.

Source: have been that idiot at times.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 weeks ago

A kindred spirit. I've also been that guy ~~drawing lines on a screen~~ designing wiring harnesses but in the automotive world.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Have you had to do the soldering portion before, or has it always been technicians? If I was a junior technician doing a replacement on one of these, what advice would you give?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I didn't do the soldering on it, though I would have liked to as an escape from my former boss (that's another story), but I did watch the technicians doing it and from what I remember:

  • First, double check your wiring diagram at both ends. Had a right fun time explaining to my boss the reason for the days of delay was whomever did the connector on the motor/gen socket had wired it up backwards because they hadn't flipped the wiring diagram. And disassembling that was a bitch.

  • Triple check the orientation you're working from and it's always better to borrow a second pair of eyes than redoing it.

  • Make a spreadsheet with the connections and print it out large on A3 paper (or US equivalent size).

  • Read the connector documentation a few times and have a go at disassembly then reassembly without the pins.

  • Cut your wires to the required length and bundle them together into a harness using kapton or electrical tape.

  • Make sure any glands that need to go over the end of the connector are slid over your wiring bundle

  • Work from the centre out, it makes pin insertion much easier.

  • Double check before inserting a pin until it clicks, they're more difficult to remove than insert.

  • Check both ends using continuity on your multimeter after each insertion (if that's possible) and mark off the connection on your A3 sheet using a highlighter.

  • Run a continuity check after you've inserted the last pin.

  • Finally, slide the gland fittings and thread into place.

Please verify this advice yourself as it's been more than 4 years since I've worked with these connectors and you should never blindly trust strangers on the internet, let alone those giving advice.

Happy wiring 😊

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

Much wiring, great advice 👍

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 weeks ago

When it comes to "Cannon" plugs, if they don't AMP you up, they'll Ben your Dix